Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (third batch) |
| Province | Hunan |
| Location | Xiangtan, Hunan |
| Latitude, longitude | 27.9, 112.5 Google Maps |
| Highlights | Birthplace of Mao Zedong |
| Top sights | Dishui Cave |
| Area | 70 km² |
| Nearby cities | Xiangtan (Hunan), Changsha |
| Nearby sites | Yuelu Scenic Area 54km, Mount Heng (Southern Sacred Mountain) 72km, Peach Blossom Land (Taohuayuan) 143km, Dongting Lake 162km, Yueyang Tower 174km Search nearby |
| Themes | Culture, Mountain, Stamp, Museum, Statue, Homes & tombs of notable people, Revolutionary sites |
About
The Shaoshan scenic area in Xiangtan, Hunan, about 70 km², has seven parts: the former residence, Shaofeng, Dishui Cave, Qingxi, Yinhe, Shizishan and Heishizhai.
Shaoshan is one of the 72 peaks of the Southern Sacred Mountain Heng, ringed by green hills said to hide a dragon vein.
The village keeps many sites of Mao Zedong’s youth, schooling and early revolutionary work: his family home, his parents’ graves, the Mao ancestral hall, the Mao Zedong memorial museum, the Nan’an private school where he studied as a boy, and Dishui Cave.
It is in the third batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 1994.
Travel tips
Getting there: Shaoshan is a county-level city under Xiangtan, about 100 km from Changsha. High-speed trains stop at Shaoshan South, then take a bus or taxi to the site; direct coaches run from Changsha in about an hour and a half.
Booking: visits to Mao Zedong's former residence are free but require an advance online reservation; slots are tight in season and on holidays.
Main sights: the former residence (Shangwuchang), the memorial hall, the statue plaza, the Mao ancestral hall and the site of the school at Nan'an.
Dripping Water Cave: a quiet wooded valley where Mao stayed in later life, reached by park bus from the residence area.
Shaofeng: the highest peak, with views from the top; the path is steep and the walk takes two to three hours.
Time: half a day for the residence, memorial hall and plaza; a full day with Dripping Water Cave and Shaofeng.
Season: open all year; summer is hot, and crowds grow on holidays and around Mao's birthday in late December.
Where to stay: guesthouses and hotels near Shaoshan village, tight in season; Changsha also works as a base for a day trip.
Stamps
On 26 December 1976 China Post issued T11 “Revolutionary Site: Shaoshan”, four stamps: Chairman Mao’s former home, the peasants’ night school, the peasants’ association and Shaoshan railway station.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Mount Lang (Langshan) 236km, Wulingyuan (Zhangjiajie) 253km, Laosicheng Site 277km |
| National parks | Weishan 44km, Yuelu Scenic Area 54km, Mount Heng (Southern Sacred Mountain) 72km, Yangqi Mountain 138km |
| Detailed guides | Meishan Dragon Palace 118km |
| AAAAA attractions | Huaminglou Scenic Area 21km, Yueyang Tower 174km, Mingyueshan Tourist Area 183km |
| AAAA attractions | Dongshan Academy 21km, Peng Dehuai Memorial Hall 33km, Shuifu Tourism Area 44km, Huayi Brothers (Changsha) Film Town 47km |
| Cities | Changsha 61km |
| Historical sites | Former Residence of Chairman Mao at Shaoshanchong 2km, Site of Dongshan Academy 21km, Former Residence of Liu Shaoqi 22km |
| National geoparks | Meijiang National Geopark 68km, Jiubujiang National Geopark 132km |
| Nature reserves | West Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve 150km |
| Historic villages | Yongfeng Village 26km |